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The Beechworth Burke Museum
From the collection of The Beechworth Burke Museum
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Photograph, 1960s

  • Black and white photograph of a lake and surrounding landscape. Perspective is from a slight incline with shrubs and lightly coloured grass in the foreground, leading into a midground featuring roads, powerlines, with some areas of densely clustered trees. In the centre is a body of water with a divided smaller section at the front. In the background are houses, other buildings, dense trees, and hills.

    3535 (obverse)

  • Black and white photograph of a lake and surrounding landscape. Perspective is from a slight incline with shrubs and lightly coloured grass in the foreground, leading into a midground featuring roads, powerlines, with some areas of densely clustered trees. In the centre is a body of water with a divided smaller section at the front. In the background are houses, other buildings, dense trees, and hills.

    3535 (reverse)

  • Black and white photograph of a lake and surrounding landscape. Perspective is from a slight incline with shrubs and lightly coloured grass in the foreground, leading into a midground featuring roads, powerlines, with some areas of densely clustered trees. In the centre is a body of water with a divided smaller section at the front. In the background are houses, other buildings, dense trees, and hills.
  • Black and white photograph of a lake and surrounding landscape. Perspective is from a slight incline with shrubs and lightly coloured grass in the foreground, leading into a midground featuring roads, powerlines, with some areas of densely clustered trees. In the centre is a body of water with a divided smaller section at the front. In the background are houses, other buildings, dense trees, and hills.

Historical information

This photo was taken in the 1960s from a northeast position looking down towards Lake Sambell, the caravan park, and the surrounding area. This photo was taken during a period of rejuvenation for the lake area including the opening of the caravan park in 1959 and the swimming pool area in 1961 (this pool is just visible in the centre of the photo).

The popularity of caravanning in Australia exploded during this post-war period of the late 1950s and 1960’s. This popularity was driven by multiple factors, including: the stopping of fuel rations, the accessibility of car ownership through the manufacturing of affordable cars, technological developments in caravan design, and the increase in prosperity and leisure time for many Australians.

Lake Sambell is an artificial lake that was developed on the previous site of the Rocky Mountain Mining Company workings and was officially opened by Minister for Lands, Mr Baily, on October 5, 1928. The disused and unattractive remains of the mine were converted into a recreational area intended for swimming, boating, and fishing. The lake is named after Mr L.H. Sambell, shire engineer and secretary of the Forward Beechworth Committee, who advocated for the enhancement of Beechworth into a tourist destination and was central to the planning and establishment of the lake. Funding for the project was raised by both competition funds and donations.

Since the construction in 1928 several engineering issues have arisen. In 1939 the water levels were low, and the lake was considered both an eyesore and ‘mudhole’, Beechworth Shire Council sort funding to raise the height of the lake six feet to improve the quality of water. Throughout the 1940s the Beechworth Swimming Club tried to raise awareness and funds to address the structural engineering issues and improve swimming facilities at the lake.

R.E. Carter, similar to L.H. Sambell, was a shire engineer who advocated the importance of positioning Beechworth as a tourist destination. Carter held the position from 1954-63 and organised many improvements to the Lake Sambell area including the caravan park in 1959, the lake swimming pool in 1961, water skiing and boating facilities, and increased the lake surface are in 1964. These improvements were financed mainly by grants from the Tourist Development Authority.

Significance

This photograph is of historical significance as it documents Lake Sambell and the surrounding area in the 1960s after a phase of enhancements to improve the appearance and usability for both the people of Beechworth and tourists. It is also of social significance in providing an insight into the increase in leisure time and access to travel during a period of post-war prosperity.

Physical description

Black and white rectangle photograph printed on matte photographic paper and unmounted.

Inscriptions & markings

Reverse:
1 /
[logo KODAK/ VELOX/ PAPER] /
C798 /
3535

Subjects

References

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